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McCarthy was "booted" after he was chosen Speaker. The House was already organized and in session, and McCarthy had already chosen a Speaker Pro Tempe McHenry who could serve during a vacancy.
The House has always designated "Pro Tempore" Speakers when the SOH is not there. In fact, those Pro Tems do most of the work and the actual SOH usually only steps in during the more significant votes and other events.
There are a number of positions that are voted on and sworn in by the PREVIOUS SOH's including the Clerk of the House and the Sergeant-At-Arms.
This is a brand-new congress, and the rules are different during pre-organizing. A Speaker must be chosen to start a "New Congress" before any other business can be done, including choosing a "Speaker Pro-Tempe".
Did you forget what happened before McCarthy was even elected after 15 votes? The Clerk of the House "shepherded" the chamber's actions.
The clerk presiding during the speaker vote is no stranger to turbulent times in the House
By Chandelis Duster, CNN
Published 10:27 AM EST, Thu January 5, 2023
CNN — Cheryl Johnson, the House clerk who has presided over the contentious votes taking place this week during the speakership elections, is no stranger to turbulent times in the House of Representatives.
Already, in the nearly four years in which she has held the job, she has been present for two impeachment hearings as well as the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Her typical duties include preparing and delivering messages to the US Senate, receiving messages from the US president and the Senate when the House is not in session, and certifying the passage of all bills and resolutions by the chamber. This week, she has presided over the chamber and called members to order.
Johnson was first sworn in as the 36th House Clerk by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 25, 2019, and again on January 3, 2021. Along with the House Sergeant at Arms, she led House impeachment managers as they walked over articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the US Senate in 2020 and 2021.
(snip)
By Chandelis Duster, CNN
Published 10:27 AM EST, Thu January 5, 2023
CNN — Cheryl Johnson, the House clerk who has presided over the contentious votes taking place this week during the speakership elections, is no stranger to turbulent times in the House of Representatives.
Already, in the nearly four years in which she has held the job, she has been present for two impeachment hearings as well as the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Her typical duties include preparing and delivering messages to the US Senate, receiving messages from the US president and the Senate when the House is not in session, and certifying the passage of all bills and resolutions by the chamber. This week, she has presided over the chamber and called members to order.
Johnson was first sworn in as the 36th House Clerk by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on February 25, 2019, and again on January 3, 2021. Along with the House Sergeant at Arms, she led House impeachment managers as they walked over articles of impeachment against Donald Trump to the US Senate in 2020 and 2021.
(snip)
Meet Cheryl Johnson, the House clerk managing the speaker votes
January 6, 202311:08 AM ET
By Rachel Treisman
The speaker is usually the person running things in the House of Representatives. But in the absence of a speaker, that job has fallen to House Clerk Cheryl Johnson. Johnson has calmly guided proceedings, including doing the time-consuming and repetitive work of calling on lawmakers to make nomination speeches and cast their votes — and announcing the results.
She also reminded them on Thursday to maintain decorum and order, including by refraining "from engaging in personalities toward other members-elect," in brief remarks that were met with a massive round of applause.
Johnson has drawn praise from both sides of the aisle this week for making sure the voting process remains respectful and orderly — despite the fact that the House hasn't even been able to pass rules for its newest session.
(snip)
Lawmakers vote to elect a House clerk — and other House officers — when a new Congress gathers every two years. That usually happens right after the speaker election — meaning even once the House chooses its speaker, it may go on to nominate and potentially elect a different clerk.
(snip)
January 6, 202311:08 AM ET
By Rachel Treisman
The speaker is usually the person running things in the House of Representatives. But in the absence of a speaker, that job has fallen to House Clerk Cheryl Johnson. Johnson has calmly guided proceedings, including doing the time-consuming and repetitive work of calling on lawmakers to make nomination speeches and cast their votes — and announcing the results.
She also reminded them on Thursday to maintain decorum and order, including by refraining "from engaging in personalities toward other members-elect," in brief remarks that were met with a massive round of applause.
Johnson has drawn praise from both sides of the aisle this week for making sure the voting process remains respectful and orderly — despite the fact that the House hasn't even been able to pass rules for its newest session.
(snip)
Lawmakers vote to elect a House clerk — and other House officers — when a new Congress gathers every two years. That usually happens right after the speaker election — meaning even once the House chooses its speaker, it may go on to nominate and potentially elect a different clerk.
(snip)
I.e., the Clerk (and other officers in the chamber) can be "sworn in" for the new Congress by the previous SOH BEFORE a new SOH vote concludes with an election of the SOH and BEFORE there are any "new Rules". It's not the "normal order" but THAT is what happened in 2021.
I watched the whole damn thing on CSPAN for each day that it was on, including every minute of those damn 15 votes.
Again - the President of the Senate (VP of the U.S.) does the Electoral Count "certification".
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